With the intelligence in hand, and Akatsuki knowing nothing about them, they can gain the upper hand in the Fourth Great Ninja War and have the advantage over the opponent.
This step in the strategy is extremely important.
Just as Yagura was pondering how to resolve this issue, the office door was knocked on.
A person walked straight in, grinning at Yagura:
"Mizukage-sama, I'm back, the mission was successfully completed."
Juzo put down the Decapitating Carving Knife and grasped the hilt with both hands, standing there carelessly, full of vulnerabilities.
"Didn't I say not to come in randomly unless permitted, Juzo?"
Yagura gave Juzo a helpless glance.
"Sorry, I'll pay more attention next time."
"You said the same thing last time and the time before... Forget it, I don't have high expectations for you anyway."
Whether Juzo was pretending to be stupid or truly was, Yagura didn't bother to fuss over such trivial matters.
As long as he can accomplish the tasks assigned to him, a bit of personality is no harm.
"Much appreciated. What's the next arrangement? Should I deal with the domestic banditry issues?"
"Those wandering ninjas? Probably someone manipulating behind the scenes, testing Hidden Mist's current strength. Just be cautious."
Who is orchestrating behind this, whether it's Hidden Rock, Hidden Cloud, or Konoha and Hidden Sand, Yagura didn't know.
Wandering ninjas can't gather in large numbers within the Land of Water, although they are weak, they are a hidden danger, potentially causing negative public perception about Hidden Mist.
The probability of Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud being the masterminds is higher.
Tsuchikage is cunning, Raikage is aggressive; neither is an easy opponent.
"Since you have a strategy, I'm relieved."
"Next, leave it to Anbu. The village's security is now handled by Ringo, you should lead a patrol at the border. By the way, leave Kisame behind."
"Kisame?"
Going to the border to patrol wasn't surprising to Juzo; this was originally his duty.
As one of the Seven-swords Ninja, each has their own role.
Especially now when the Seven-swords Ninja aren't fully replenished, the pressure on them is even greater.
However, for years Kisame had always followed him closely, inseparable, taking him on every mission, so it was puzzling for Juzo to suddenly leave Kisame behind.
"Yes, from now on he'll operate independently of your team; I have some tasks for him."
"Alright, I understand, I'll let him know."
Juzo nodded.
Extracting Kisame from his team, is he being recruited into Anbu?
This is exceedingly risky.
The negative impact Blood Mist Faction had on Hidden Mist led many ninjas and villagers to resist. However, due to the massive influence of Blood Mist Faction at the time, combined with the indulgence of the previous Mizukage, many people had no way to oppose it and could only endure silently.
Once Yagura took power, he changed Hidden Mist Village's bloody practice and drastically reformed the self-destructive systems of the Ninja School, naturally garnering much support.
For many in Hidden Mist Village, Blood Mist isn't a praise, it's a shame.
It represents the unrecallable past of Hidden Mist.
Kisame was once an underling of Suikazan Fuguki, also a member of Blood Mist Faction, unlike Yagura, an undercover high-level within Blood Mist Faction.
Getting Kisame into the Seven-swords Ninja took significant effort from Yagura to partially resolve Kisame's identity issue.
Now, if Kisame were to join Anbu, it might stir waves in high-level meetings again.
Anbu... carries more importance than the position among Seven-swords Ninja.
It symbolizes Hidden Mist's most elite force, and also Yagura's trusted guards. Only those with a clean slate, absolutely loyal to the village, and strong ninjas may hold such positions.
For a ninja like Kisame with a tainted record, logically, he can't join Anbu.
Yagura didn't provide any explanation on this.
The tasks he is assigning to Kisame and all forthcoming matters are classified, and can't be revealed to unrelated personnel.
He only gazed thoughtfully at the few files on Akatsuki intelligence on the desk.